The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Tuesday warned the public about a surge in criminal activities by fake officers posing as its operatives across major cities, targeting youth and motorists.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the commission said intelligence reports reveal “ingenious but fraudulent means” being deployed to damage its reputation.
The EFCC said one group of fraudsters targets popular eateries and fun spots, where they ambush unsuspecting youth and falsely accuse them of internet fraud and dispossess them of valuables. “These characters usually portray the identities of authentic EFCC officers by dressing in fake uniforms and moving their victims to locations bearing fictitious resemblance to an EFCC office,” the statement said.
Another gang reportedly harasses motorists over their number plates, using weapons to extort money on “trumped-up accusations.”
The commission also flagged online impersonators and content creators staging fake EFCC raids with dramatised scenes of forced entry, warning that such portrayals could mislead the public.
“The public is enjoined to be circumspect in its evaluation of claims intended to drag the commission’s image into the mud,” the statement added.
It stated that the EFCC operates with established procedures and grievance channels.